Welcome to our 2nd Annual Library Retrospective where Winemaker and CEO, Keith Emerson, details five specially-selected wines from three different vintages and two different vineyards.
Watch a Message from our Winemaker
Watch as Winemaker and CEO, Keith Emerson, discusses the characteristics of the five vintages.
Learn the stories of the 5 wines
Select a wine below to view its details.
2004 29 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
The Story
It is hard to believe that 2004 was 20 years ago. I spent the first half of the year making wine in New Zealand where we were picking Pinot Noir in a snow storm. Boy, we sure have it good in Napa Valley! I arrived at Vineyard 29 in early 2005 and immediately got to work on finishing up the primary and secondary fermentations on the 2004 wines. The vintage was on the warmer side and the resulting wines were lush, rich and opulent. It was also a milestone for Vineyard 29 as we produced and bottled the first CRU Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon as well as the first 29 Estate Blanc and Franc wines. The focus today, however, is the flagship Cabernet from 29 Estate.
THE VINEYARD
Our 29 Estate Vineyard sits on a hillside just at the “pinch” of Napa Valley’s hourglass shape. Excellent airflow provides natural frost protection, while the fertile clay loam soils encourage deeply rooted vines, yielding powerfully concentrated cabernet sauvignon tempered by markedly floral, velvet elegance and explosive aromatic.
THE VINTAGE
Spring shatter during berry set and a hot summer contributed to loose clusters and reduced cluster weight resulting in a brilliantly intense but tiny vintage that marks the very smallest since the very first 1992 vintage.
The Wine
Deeply concentrated in color, the 2004 vintage is inky and densely purple. On the nose, this wine opens with ripe cherries, cassis and creamy chocolate. Darker aromas of black licorice, graphite and crushed stone complete this complex wine. Abundant quantities of black fruit, subtle oak nuances and gripping tannins coat the palate in this richly viscous wine. The chocolate and cherries that dominate the nose continue to shine on the palate and linger all the way through the brilliantly persistent finish. The 2004 vintage possesses amazing power and weighty structure while never losing its striking elegance. Enjoy now, or with much discipline, through 2020.
The Update
At 20 years old, the wine is quite perfumed and showy with hints of dried rose petal, tea leaf and Kirsh cherries. The fruit profile is predominantly red, the mid-palate is polished and elegant and the finish is long and persistent with fine grained tannins. What a beauty at 20 years old!
Harvest Dates
September 10 – 18, 2004
Barrel Age
18 months in French oak,
100% new
Cooperage
Saury, St. Martin, Demptos, Taransaud
Bottling Date
May 8, 2007
Alcohol
14.8%
Release Date
Fall 2007
Cases Produced
337
Release Price
$225 ~ 750ml
Library Price
$615 ~ 750ml
2009 AIDA Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
The Story
The 2009 vintage is one that I don’t taste very often. This is mainly due to the fact that my daughter was born that year, as was my step-daughter, so we are holding on to just about every 2009 wine that we come across to share with the girls when the time is right. I was fortunate to taste the 2009 Aida Estate and 29 Estate side by side last week and was quite pleased with how both of these Cabernets are showing at age 15.
THE VINEYARD
We have been fueled by our belief that Aida would be an ideal site for growing Bordeaux varietals since our acquisition of this wonderful site in 2000. Each harvest has affirmed our initial belief and makes us eagerly anticipate each vintage.
THE VINTAGE
2009 began warm and dry in January and February followed by a cool, wet March and April. Summer temperatures were warm to moderate with very few triple digit degree days and many overcast mornings giving us even growth and ripening. Harvest was slow to start but above average temperatures in September allowed the final push for ripening with all of our fruit coming in by mid-October. Overall, 2009 brought nearly ideal wine grape growing conditions resulting in good yields and well developed berries. Our wines of 2009 are well balanced — juicy and approachable with beautiful structure and acidity.
The Wine
Deeply saturated in color, our 2009 Aida Estate Cabernet opens with explosive aromas of ripe cherries, scorched earth, and fresh tobacco leaf. The fruit was picked at optimal ripeness translating to a palate that is lush, rich, concentrated and layered with dark chocolate shavings, tar and graphite. Firm and powerful, fine grain tannins provide tremendous aging potential while maintaining textural elegance. The wine will benefit from decanting when young and can be enjoyed over the next 20+ years.
The Update
The Aida Estate is dense and powerful with richness and concentration throughout. The typical scorched earth and crushed rock Aida characteristics are quite present while the judicial use of fine French oak provides a mouth coating, milk chocolate-like texture. Plush, supple tannins and balanced acidity lead to a long, drawn out finish.
Harvest Dates
September 18 – October 5, 2009
Barrel Age
20 months in French oak,
75% new
Cooperage
Taransaud, Demptos, Ermitage, Baron, Saury
Bottling Date
June 20, 2011
Alcohol
14.8%
Release Date
Spring 2012
Cases Produced
747
Release Price
$195 ~ 750ml
Library Price
$515 ~ 750ml
2009 29 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
The Story
The 2009 vintage is one that I don’t taste very often. This is mainly due to the fact that my daughter was born that year, as was my step-daughter, so we are holding on to just about every 2009 wine that we come across to share with the girls when the time is right. I was fortunate to taste the 2009 Aida Estate and 29 Estate side by side last week and was quite pleased with how both of these Cabernets are showing at age 15.
THE VINEYARD
Our 29 Estate Vineyard sits on a hillside just at the “pinch” of Napa Valley’s hourglass shape. Excellent airflow provides natural frost protection, while the fertile clay loam soils encourage deeply rooted vines, yielding powerfully concentrated cabernet sauvignon tempered by markedly floral, velvet elegance and explosive aromatic.
THE VINTAGE
The 2009 vintage will be remembered for early spring rains followed by moderate summer temperatures resulting in a nearly ideal growing season. Strong berry set, good crop levels, cool mornings and warm afternoons developed grapes with balanced sugars and acidity. The resulting wines show intensity of color and flavor and are wonderfully opulent and elegant.
The Wine
Our 2009 29 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is a deeply saturated, jewel-toned wine. A seductive nose displays aromas of black cassis, lifted violets and dark chocolate shavings. Gentle swirling coaxes further notes of cigar box and potpourri which set the stage for a stunning palate layered with flavors of cedar, cracked black pepper, black licorice and bergamot. This vineyard has always produced a wine of extraordinary texture and the 2009 vintage is no exception. Firm tannins support a velvety structure with richness and depth that create a lengthy and full-bodied finish. Our 2009 29 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon can be enjoyed now with generous decanting or tucked away in your cellar for 20 to 25 years.
The Update
The 29 Estate Cabernet from 2009 is an aromatically pleasing, full bodied, classic Napa Cabernet that does not disappoint. The aromas are beautiful and packed with violets, tea leaf, cardamom, and deep red and black fruits. Upon entry the wine is layered and complex with red fruits dominating but black cassis and currant poking through. The tannins are fine grained and silty throughout which add to the fresh, youthfulness of this 15 year old Cabernet.
Harvest Dates
October 6, 2009
Barrel Age
21 months,
90% new French oak
Cooperage
Taransaud, Demptos, Ermitage, Baron
Bottling Date
August 13, 2011
Alcohol
15.2%
Release Date
Fall 2012
Cases Produced
665
Release Price
$195 ~ 750ml
Library Price
$515 ~ 750ml
2014 AIDA Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
The Story
The 2014 vintage was underrated across Napa Valley at first release. This was mainly due to the fact that it was sandwiched between the acclaimed 2013 and 2015 vintages. Tasting the 2014 Aida Estate and 29 Estate Cabernets today at age ten, I am reminded how beautiful the vintage truly was.
THE VINEYARD
Our Aida Estate Vineyard has confirmed our initial belief that this site would be the ideal location for growing Bordeaux varietals. Just north of the pinch in the hourglass of the Napa Valley, the cabernet sauvignon grapes from our Aida Estate provide the bold, structured backbone for this immensely enjoyable wine.
THE VINTAGE
The 2014 growing season was characterized by a considerably dry winter throughout December and January. Late winter rains in February and early March provided adequate water to the vines. Warm spring temperatures led way to an early bud break with moderate vine growth through the spring months. A warm summer with a few hot streaks, provided ideal growing conditions for an early harvest. Small but dense clusters with great concentration of flavors yielded an abundant crop. 2014 will be remembered as the year of the earthquake (August 24th) and the wines will be remembered as fruit forward, approachable upon release but with enough structure and concentration to age gracefully.
The Wine
Our 2014 Vineyard 29 Aida Estate Cabernet Sauvignon beautifully concentrated aromas of espresso beans, black currants and burning embers opens with gentle swirling from the glass. Cassis, scorched earth and notes of chocolate Bavarian cake round out a rich, generous palate. Full-bodied in weight and texture, the everlasting finishing on this wine will leave you breathless. Decant while young, this wine will cellar well for 20+ years.
The Update
The 2014 Aida Estate has all of the signature earth-driven characteristics of Aida along with racy acid structure, verve and energy throughout. The fruit profile is deep red with hints of black and the wine really comes together and rounds out in the glass over a period of 20–30 minutes. Juicy red plum fruits are complemented by chewy tannins and a supple mouthfeel. Delicious at age 10.
Harvest Dates
September 5 – September 18, 2014
Barrel Age
18 months,
75% new French oak
Cooperage
Taransaud, Demptos, Ermitage, Baron, Saury
Bottling Date
June 5, 2016
Alcohol
14.9%
Release Date
Spring 2017
Cases Produced
740
Release Price
$295 ~ 750ml
Library Price
$395 ~ 750ml
2014 29 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
The Story
The 2014 vintage was underrated across Napa Valley at first release. This was mainly due to the fact that it was sandwiched between the acclaimed 2013 and 2015 vintages. Tasting the 2014 Aida Estate and 29 Estate Cabernets today at age ten, I am reminded how beautiful the vintage truly was.
THE VINEYARD
Our 29 Estate Vineyard sits on a hillside just at the “pinch” of Napa Valley’s hourglass shape. Excellent airflow provides natural frost protection, while the fertile clay loam soils encourage deeply rooted vines, yielding powerfully concentrated cabernet sauvignon tempered by markedly floral, velvet elegance and explosive aromatic.
THE VINTAGE
The 2014 growing season marked the third consecutive year of drought in California. An exceptionally dry winter, with some of the coldest days on record, led to an early bud break and the start of the growing season. It was a decently early and smooth harvest, with one huge interruption — the 6.0 magnitude earthquake that rocked Napa Valley. Vineyard 29 was, fortunately, unharmed in the earthquake, but it left many vintners working on repairs in the middle of harvest. Otherwise, ideal picking conditions led to a stunning vintage. Despite the low yields, the wines from 2014 are concentrated and have a serious richness.
The Wine
The 2014 Vineyard 29 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon starts with beautiful notes of chocolate covered strawberries, then opens up into a luxurious balance of dark cherries and dark chocolate with marjoram and thyme. Intense black fruit on the palate with satin tannins and a lengthy finish of ripe fruits make this a cabernet that can be enjoyed now or aged for years to come. This offering pairs perfectly at our winery library tasting with grilled beef tenderloin, a caramelized onion galette, charred broccolini topped with a compound butter of thyme, red wine and green garlic.
The Update
The 29 Estate Cabernet is darker with a blacker fruit profile than most aged 29 Estate Cabernets. The fruit is all cassis and blackberry with hints of cocoa powder, coffee grounds and, as usual, fresh violets add to the complexity of this wine. The richness and concentration is certainly apparent but the elegance and polish of 29 Estate Cabernet shines through. I am very encouraged and excited to taste the 2014 estate Cabernets at age 10, though I am fully confident that they will continue to age gracefully and evolve for another then plus years.
Harvest Dates
September 8 – October 10, 2014
Barrel Age
20 months, 85% new,
100% French oak
Cooperage
Taransaud, Demptos, Ermitage, Baron
Bottling Date
June 7, 2016
Alcohol
14.9%
Release Date
Fall 2017
Cases Produced
740
Release Price
$295 ~ 750ml
Library Price
$395 ~ 750ml
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